Spaceflight Now | Delta Launch Report | Launch weather forecast

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Launch weather forecast
Posted: December 10, 2004

Forecast for Saturday, December 11

Issued: Friday, December 10
Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron
Synoptic Discussion: "A cold front will move through Central Florida today bringing showers and isolated thunderstorms into the area and colder temperatures for the weekend. The front will clear the area by Saturday afternoon, but strong winds and clouds will persist behind the front. Winds and cloud cover will gradually decrease through Sunday and Monday.
"The main weather concerns on launch day will be violation of ground wind and thick cloud rules."
Clouds: Broken at 4,000 feet with 5/8ths sky coverage and tops at 7,000 feet
Visibility: 10 miles
Launch Pad Winds: Northwesterly from 300 degrees at 15 gusting to 20 knots
Temperature: 60 degrees F
Relative Humidity: 60 percent
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 70 percent
Concerns: Ground wind and thick clouds

Times of note

Saturday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Saturday's sunset: 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT)
Sunday's launch window: 2:32 to 5:28 p.m. EST (1932-2228 GMT)
Monday's launch window: 2:32 to 5:28 p.m. EST (1932-2228 GMT)

24- and 48-hour Delay Forecasts

Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 30 percent
Concerns: Ground winds
Monday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 10 percent
Concerns: Ground winds

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